"Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are." - Alfred Austin 

Nothing beats the satisfaction of making something from start to finish (except for maybe sex, a thick-cut steak, and dick jokes). Now imagine growing something, then making something from start to finish. Even the perfectly drawn penis on an important memo can't top that.

Over the past year, we've been amazed at what we can grow here on the brewery grounds alone, from the hop trellis on our patio to an established hop yard in the grass along our parking lot. We also cut old oak barrels in half and converted them into planters, creating a small (yet functional and really, really good looking) employee garden. 

So what options do you average Joe's and Jill's have with (likely) not a lot of space and (very likely) not a lot of time?

Here in the mid-Atlantic, we have mild springs and falls with hot, humid summers. You can grow almost anything with soil, sun, and water, but here are a few plants that grow exceptionally well in this area:

• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Beans
• Squash

Space-wise, the possibilities are endless. Instead of flower pots on your deck, try a tomato plant or two. An array of herbs is a beautiful and delicious replacement for window boxes or flower beds. 

No outdoor space at all? No problem. See if your area has a community garden association. We have the Frederick Community Garden Association in our town, among a slew of others in the surrounding areas. Most cities have them and it's as easy as donating money for your very own plot all growing season long. 

And doesn't your favorite craft beer pair perfectly with achy muscles, sunburn, bug bites, and dirty fingernails?